A King and No King

John Fletcher, a prominent Jacobean playwright, succeeded Shakespeare as the house playwright for the King's Men and was known for his prolific output and influence during his time. He collaborated extensively with Francis Beaumont and co-wrote two plays with Shakespeare, achieving fame that rivaled Shakespeare's in the early Restoration period. Though his reputation has diminished over time, Fletcher is recognized as a key transitional figure bridging the Elizabethan theatrical tradition and the popular drama of the Restoration era.